My first sets of pearls

Yes, I said sets as in more than one!

My sister and her colleagues invited me to join them for a girly lunch at the Carat Club in Bangsar today to have a look at pearls. They had a trunk show collection of Japanese Akoya Pearls. Sit Yin had already purchased a very lovely pair yesterday (she collected them today and we all said they suited her very well) and got us all interested in a girly pearly lunch!

Our free lunch turned out to be an expensive affair. In fact, as I was typing the paragraph above, my bank has just called to ask if I had signed for something at the Carat Club. I sheepishly had to admit that I did.

Okay it's actually not too expensive for pearls, I tell myself. I reason with my conscience that these are my first sets of pearls. I cannot guarantee that it will be my last, though, since they are so lovely.

Description of my two sets:
Set 1. A string of light peach pearls that are "deformed" (I cant think of a nicer way to say this). But they are really unique given how the pearls were formed which, when put together, looks really cool and modern. It retails for RM439. I had 2 pearls removed to be made into earrings.

Set 2. A string of greyish pearls, rounder and less deformed compared to Set 1. It's really difficult to describe the colours as it looks very different in different lighting and skintones. It retails for RM649 and I had 3 pearls removed - 1 for a pendant and 2 for earrings.

My sister the brat bought 2 strings of pearls that cost RM1890 each. Admittedly, the difference in quality resulted in the difference in price. Her pearls were mostly similar in size, shape and colour compared to mine. She plans to wear both necklaces together but has the option of just wearing one if she wants.

So that was a productive lunchtime indeed! Although, I still think I prefer diamonds to pearls. Diamonds, after all, really are a girl's best friend!

P/S: Pictures only after we get the necklaces, which should hopefully be next week!

Knit update

A quick knit update since I'm feeling really restless (had katsu curry rice at Yashi no mi for lunch today with the siblings and I think having so much carbs at lunch is something alien to my body now).

The new yarns I ordered online arrived last week... So did the sushi stitch markers and knitting needles. I took a longer lunch break, went home to pick up my sister, headed over to the post office to collect the parcels, then went home again to rip open the packaging and celebrate the arrival of new things (feels almost like opening presents at Christmas).

I have also cast on for another project. I'm finally making use of Francie Stevens lace weight from the Plucky Knitter after much deliberation on what to do with my 2 skeins. I'm using the free shawl pattern that Kristine of St Seraphina sent as a thank you for purchasing her yarns. Let's hope I make some progress with this in Pangkor Laut this weekend.

Okay back to work!

It's a Pinky Friday!

I was just in the pantry when one of my female colleagues commented that quite a number of us are wearing pink today. Last week, quite a few of us wore black. Now, it's all purely coincidental that we all happen to be colour-coordinated but hey, it's fun to notice these little things. We're a small office, about 30 people so when 5 girls are wearing the same colour, that's 15% of the office already!

So anyway, it's Friday... and that makes me happy. I need to catch up on sleep tomorrow since that's something I've been seriously deprived of (although I did a pretty good job last weekend on replenishing my sleep hours).

Oh yea, another colleague commented earlier that I've lost quite a bit of weight. Yippee! Results! Now, as I have said before, I have not weighed myself so I have no idea how much (I personally think it's not much because I've been having slices of good coffee swiss roll filled with cream for dessert the past 2 nights). BUT, my clothes are telling me that I have lost a bit, and that's what I'm after. Yay!!

On knitting, I've been itching to go to Jet Sun to browse around but I haven't found a free lunchtime slot this past week. I'm thinking of going today but I also need to go to Parkson Pavilion to get my eyebrows waxed at the Benefit counter (they've called to tell me that I've not been there in a while - which means my eyebrows are totally ungroomed at the moment). And I also am in need of a good manicure and pedicure (the Colour Culture shop in Pavilion called up a few days ago to remind me that I haven't gone in a while too). Sigh, all the things we girls have to do for "maintenance".

And, I have a confession to make..... I got a case of "itchy fingers" a few days ago and did some shopping on Etsy. I've been eyeing a Sushi stitch marker set and a Sushi straight needles set from scarymerry and finally got round to buying them. So cute!!! Then I also bought some laceweight silk yarn from stseraphinaknits: Winter Sunrise and Meditation. So pretty!! Now I just have to sit and wait for the parcels to arrive..... Wheee....

Isetan sale starts today... and Dr Sebagh

The Isetan 11th Anniversary sale started today with the Members Day. I made sure I had my Isetan card and my credit cards and headed there at lunchtime. I wasn't interested in everything though. In fact, I've never actually been for a Member's Day sale and was worried about the crowds. But, Mom wanted me to get some stuff from the Dr. Sebagh counter in Isetan KLCC since the offer (for today only) was a free gift pack worth RM588 when you spend RM1000 and above.

Who is Dr Sebagh? Here's the results when you google him up.

My mom and I were introduced to his brand at a child's birthday party in the Shangri-la KL a month ago. While we were a bit out of place given that we didn't have any kids with us, our hostess (the birthday boy and birthday girl's mother) has always made sure that the parties were not a boring affair for adults. The kids were kept busy with some glass painting at one corner, an inflatable castle in another corner and a PS3 corner for the older kids. Of course there were clowns and cutesy cupcakes and kiddy snacks as well. But for the adults, this time, she got the team from Ken's Apothecary to set up tables and we got free hand masssages using Laura Mercier products. We also got to buy the Laura Mercier products at a great price (and I'm a sucker for a bargain) so Mom and I bought some shower gel and body lotion sets.

They also had a Dr Sebagh counter because our hostess has been using their products and found great improvement to her skin. Mom of course decided to try (you'll never find out if things are really good or not until you try them for yourself). She got the Serum Repair and the Vitamin C powder and they gave her the moisturiser sample to try out.

After two weeks of using, our regular hairstylist, Florence (of A Cut Above Midvalley), asked Mom if she'd done anything to her face because her skin was looking firmer. So if Florence can tell a difference (she's been seeing my mom every 1-3 days for the last 8 years so she knows her pretty well), that says something.

The person who talked my mom into buying the Dr Sebagh products that day is Maggie. I first met Maggie, who is based at the Dr Sebagh counter in Bangsar Village, a few months back in Bangsar Shopping Centre where I, in a random splurge phase, bought a bottle of Annick Goutal's Petite Cherie from her. She recognised me that day at the birthday party and so it started from there. She's also recommended me the eye cream for my dark circles and fine lines (sigh I blame my job) but she didn't have it with her that day.

So I was supposed to go over to BV one of these days to buy the eye cream there but when we spotted the offer in Isetan, I thought, why not? And so...... here's the damage done today:

Eye Expert for Mom - RM319,
Extreme Moisturise and Serum Repair set for Mom - RM1309
For Your Eyes Only for myself - RM519

Total = RM2147

Let's just see if my eyebags and dark circles really go away....

Coach - the new season

Shen, I know I was supposed to do this ages ago but hey at least I'm finally doing it! Here you go... Pictures of the Coach bags Ma bought on her Singapore trip last month.

First is the Leather Olive from the Bonnie Collection. I haven't had an occasion to use this yet but it's cute and not too small so I can still fit all my junk in it.

Next is my favourite thus far.... the Bonnie canvas tote. Huge, lots of little pockets and absolutely perfect for weekends.

And the third bag Ma bought was the Bonnie signature foldover crossbody. Quite nice to use too... I pair this with my Bimba and Lola ballet pumps which happen to be in the same shade of pink!


And then, the Mother's Day present I bought for Ma this weekend... I can't seem to find a picture of it, even on the Coach website so the closest resemblance is the Parker Leather Tattoo Print Clutch, pictured below. Similar except the body is made of straw I think and the leather trimming on the one I bought was baby pink and the clutch is a foldover. (Do you get it?) Anyway I'll take a picture of it soon I guess...

** Pictures courtesy of www.coach.com

Zara-Massimo Dutti-Pull & Bear sale : 3 days more

We're stuck in a jam getting out of The Curve cos we went for the Zara-Dutti which started today until Sunday. Loads of ppl, long queue to get it, lotsa pushing and shoving and grabbing stuff off the racks... You know the drill..

BUT, I managed to get quite a bit of things. I can't tell you right now how many cos I can't remember how many things I bought. It was more of the grab-and-pay type of thing. I remember I managed to find the lilac dress from Zara that I really liked in Barcelona but didn't buy in the end. Only RM89.90!! What a steal esp since I remembered it costing >RM400. It's at times like these that I'm happy I'm not average-sized.

Ma, on the other hand, had trouble finding things in her size.. Plus, she'd most probably already bought the item at full price if she liked it earlier on.

So yea, on our way home to sort them out!

Stress led me to PattyBelle

Everyone reacts differently to stress. In my case, I've come to realise that while I rarely lose my cool during stressful times (as in I rarely act in a panic or rush through things).

But my body has taken a different turn on how it handles stress. In recent months, I've had spells of really bad headaches, weird rashes and eczema on my body, multiple mouth ulcers at a go and most recently, my cold sores have made a major comeback.

I've had cold sores since I was very young and used to get it at least once a year. Tried all sorts of products and home treatments but nothing was as effective as taking lysine supplements, as recommended by a pharmacist in Covent Garden in 2004. Elated, I'd thought I found the solution to my cold sore issues. Then I later found out that lysine is also the active ingredient in Appeton - i.e. it helps to build your appetite. Which is something I obviously dont need.

But anyway, I stopped taking lysine after finding this out but didn't have any cold sores for the past 5 years. Suddenly, after a stressful week, I felt that familiar tingling yet painful feeling at the corner of my lips. Over the past few days, it has now erupted into a full-scale cold sore, something I haven't had in maybe 10 years.

The sad thing is, I doubt my boss believes that all my issues are probably stress-related. Sure, I always seem to be in a jolly mood and am usually responsive to stuff but that doesn't mean that I'm not stressed. I just absolutely abhor it when people throw tantrums when they're stressed (which I've seen a lot of) and so I dont wish to do the same to others. There is no point having a go at someone else when it's not their problem.

Sorry to rant on but I just wanted to get it off my chest.

And since my horoscope this morning said I should treat myself with a small reward, I took heed and bought something.... here it is:

** Photo taken from PattyBelle.com

This is Violet Dreamy Duchess headband from PattyBelle.com. Cost me RM50 including shipping. I found this website while checking out Tongue in Chic, a local fashion blog that keeps the not-so-fashionable me up to date with the local fashion scene.

My justification for making this purchase:
1) I'm stressed
2) I really like all of Patty's headbands so this is my first purchase to assess the service and delivery time.
3) I want to do more in supporting local crafters, especially since I would like to try selling some of my own stuff in future. It's great to have a thriving market for these things.
4) I think the headband will go perfectly with my lilac bridesmaid dress for Sunny's wedding next weekend. The dress is super simple and so I hope the headband will dress it up.

Ah, feeling much better.

LV Monogram Vernis Roses

Oh dear... I can't decide whether I like this or not but I know my mom will. It's in a really nice shade of fuchsia and while I have a feeling we do have a bag in this colour (we have a whole assortment of pink bags since I absolutely love them), we do not have an LV bag this colour! Hah! Justification for a new bag perhaps?

The downside: it's an Alma (I'm talking about the name of this bag shape, in case you do not speak the LV lingo). I really definitely do not like the Alma. We have a couple of Almas and I find them so annoying to use. I always have trouble opening them and zipping them up. And you can't stuff as much things in them as you can with say, the Speedy.

Then again, my mom and I are impartial to the Speedy simply because it's so versatile and easy to flatten and pack into your luggage (very important when on a holiday, especially a shopping holiday). Infact I've just found 5 reasons to buy a Speedy bag.

Shen, what do you think? Should I make a trip to Starhill for this?

All I want for Christmas is....

... this?

Do check out bagsnob.com. It's a new favourite simply because I get to be updated on the latest bags that would most likely grace the display counters of Selfridges/Harrods/Harvey Nics. And then I can only hope that they'll bring some of these bags to our shores. No I dont get paid for this "advertisement". I just like staring at the bags.

And if one has time, do check out the latest Bottega Veneta collection. The hardcopy catalogue arrived in the mail last week and Mom and I have been drooling over some of the bags. Unfortunately, at incredulous prices (think RM34,000 for a bag!!), we wont be purchasing any of them anytime soon. Except maybe the clutch featured on bagsnob. Only US$1050 which doesn't sound as ridiculous as RM34,000.

And also check out this season's Prada. Mom has been eyeing this bag since we saw it at the launch in its new Pavilion store a couple of weeks back. She went back to the shop again today and came out with 2 other bags instead. I have yet to see them though so no comments on those!

Shen what do you think? Should Ma get the Prada clutch? She told them that if the next time she walks into Prada and it's still there, then she'll get it.

Shopping shopping shopping

Just wanted to let you know that there's another warehouse sale coming up - The Converse sale.

Location: Bangunan Panglobal, Jln Tandang, PJ
Dates: 11-14 Dec, 10am to 6pm.

What's with all the warehouse sales of late?

In the past couple of weeks, I've gone for the Zara/Dutti sale (where I of course bought stuff), Club 21 sale (didnt get anything there I think), the Melium Outlet sale (Mom practically bought the whole Farah Khan collection that was in her size while I got some tops from FK too and a matching bag and top combo from Emilio Pucci, and some Stuart Weiszman bags)... and most recently (last weekend) the Juicy Couture and Club Monaco sale. I got a great bargain on 10 pieces of clothing there. 2 were for Mom (since she wasn't there so I chose some things for her) while the rest were for me! I got myself a couple of Juicy jersey shorts and dresses. In fact, I'm wearing one dress right now!

Shen, I've found a new clothing line that fits me pretty well. May be good for you too! Unfortunately, the exorbitant prices that Juicy retails for in London has always put me off buying it there so getting them on such a great discount was a good deal.

I unfortunately missed out on the recent FJ Benjamin sale since I was in Pangkor Laut but I didnt fret too much because I really splurged on the last FJB sale a couple of months back. Bought loads of Banana Republic stuff that time.

So the next thing on my to-do list is to clean out my closet and give away the stuff I dont wear anymore to make space for the new things! Shen, do you want to have a look before I get rid of them?

Btw, last weekend marked the start of the Malaysian Savings Sale so basically, everywhere you go, you see sale sale sale! I feel myself veering towards Pavilion for lunch today....

The stars say I should spoil myself

Today's horoscope in the New Straits Times:

It is about time you spoil yourself as you tend to be a little too mean and strict with yourself. Spending money on oneself is a sign of having a positive and healthy self-esteem.

My interpretation: More yarn!!!!

Shen, I really wonder if my horoscope is indeed correct. Or maybe I really do have a positive and healthy self-esteem since I am always spoiling myself. Even better, I get others to spoil me! ( I hear Pa in my head going, "Hah! So that's what I'm for?")

But then again, all 3 of us siblings have mastered the art of shopping from Ma. You with your kimono stuff, Fatteh with his flashlights, me with my yarn. And Ma..... well, Ma buys everything and anything. She can shop anywhere (not an easy skill, I must add).

Oh speaking of Ma and her shopping, she bought a new LV bag again. This time it's called Halo Peach. The latest limited edition bag, blah blah blah. Found someone on ebay selling it for US$2295 but I assure you we didnt buy it for that much. The pictures can't do it justice, really. It's much nicer that the pics and the leather is oh-so-soft.

On the work front, I've been busy and so less time to knit. Traffic in the evenings are pretty clear by the time I leave the office (which is about 7-8pm these days), so I can't knit during traffic jams as I usually do. But, working the 12-14 hour days are starting to take its toll on me and so I have trouble waking up at 5.45am nowadays.

I managed to find time to scour Ravelry for lace shawl patterns. I've wound up my 1 skein of The Plucky Knitter's Her Ladyship as I plan to make a shawlette for Ji-Lian's birthday. Haven't taken a picture of the new Plucky yarns yet but this has really nice burgundy-reddish hues to it. Hopefully, I find a suitable pattern soon and start on it because I dont have that many days to finish it!

I'm also on the hunt for a crochet shorts pattern. Suennie bought a pair of Armani shorts that were crocheted and she loves it but says it's really pricey. So I've been given the task of either looking for a similar design or coming up with my own. Haven't found any patterns that resemble it yet so will attempt to create my own version of it.

So there, that's what I've been up to. Oh and I have been having this really annoying headache which keeps coming and going. (It's coming right now, I feel it... ow) Maybe I should go home early today? I don't know. I've been saying that for the past 3 days but still I leave at the usual time. Sigh...

Fruitful shopping in Singapore

Was in Singapore over Thurs - Saturday. Lil break while Mommy's there for a conference Technically I did a bit of work too cos I had lunch with some corporates on Friday, albeit I was in jeans and came to the restaurant with a bag full of dresses from Blum. But my mom has been following the progress of this particular company for many a year now and we know them pretty well so they were cool about me being so casual.

Shen, sorry for waking you up so early (was it 7am your time when I called?) but I had to find out what sort of patterns did you want from Golden Dragon.

Anyway, here's the damage done in less than 3 days:

Blum at Hitachi Tower
(My mom's favourite place to shop for dresses and office suits. Walking distance from The Fullerton. They also have other outlets all over SG.)

I got 7 dresses - 3 work ones and 4 casual. Shen I got a yellow and white halter neck dress which is more you than me actually and it's a bit loose for me in the chest area so you should try it on when you get back for Xmas! I'm actually wearing one of the work dresses right now.

Ma bought countless dresses and suits and cardigans and I dunno what else but we had to buy a new Mandarina Duck luggage to fit everything she'd bought. Luckily, we flew Business Class so the luggage went through with no issues. It was 26kg - all new clothes okay!!! (Btw, Shen, we bought another one exactly like the one you brought back to London.)

Charles and Keith (at Changi airport)
SALE: 50% off for most shoes!! The sale was also on in the other C&K shops in the city but since I knew we could get them at the airport, I decided to wait until we got there. I bought 1 pair of cream-coloured shoes with a brown buckle.

Ma got 2 pairs and Grace got 6! We now know who is a shoe-a-holic!

Golden Dragon at People's Park Centre
Of course, I had to make a trip to GD and so I went on my own.
Bought 8 types of cloth materials for Shen (will take pics and post them when I have time).
Also got 10 balls of Jaeger Merino DK Aran in black for S$75 and 10 balls of Jaeger Merino DK in teal also for S$75!!!!! Damn good bargain and I couldn't stop myself.
And, I bought some really pretty Japanese yarn - 6 balls which the shopgirl said would be sufficient for a vest / tank top. Pics to come.
AND, 5mm and 4mm bamboo circs in 100cm lengths (I couldn't find them in KL and I already have 6mm and 10mm ones in that length).
And one more - a little Clover kit with stitch markers, stitch holders and bunch of other things. So cute.

Spotlight, Plaza Singapura
I had dinner with Aunty Lena and family and mentioned my trip to GD. Uncle Jude immediately mentioned Spotlight at Plaza Singapura for a good selection of yarns. Of course, I had to visit there too and went on Saturday morning!

So much choice!! I must say that the yarns sold at Spotlight were cheaper than GD but not as luxurious. I didn't have much luggage space left so I only got 6 balls of Lion Brand's Vanna's Choice in a nice lavender. Should be sufficient for a shawl. Will definitely be visiting Spotlight the next time I'm in SG to take advantage of the great discounts they have!

Louis Vuitton in Ngee Ann City
Ma attacked the LV store first without me since she flew to SG earlier. She came back to the hotel with a pair of jeans, belts and shoes.

Then I wanted to check it out too so we went there again on Saturday.

Nothing new to buy so we finally got the Monogram Speedy 40" that Ma always wanted (okay there are loads of bags that "she always wanted" but this is what she's been talking about for the past few weeks).

I also got the latest small Monogram Mini bag in dark brown (the one that matches my wallet and the shoes I got in Harrods last year). Used it over the weekend and for such a small bag, it can fit loads of things! Shen, you'll like it but it's MINE! =P

Other stuff I bought:
- A pair of flat white pumps from some shop in Wisma Atria (am wearing them now actually)
- 2 dresses from Hula & Co in Wisma Atria (beach dresses for Phuket this weekend)

Now, wasn't that a great shopping trip or what!?